Convolute tube making machine



June 22, 1955 J. SNYDERMAN ETAL 3,190,195

CONVOLUTE TUBE MAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 27, 1963 v.2 9Qu INVENTORS JOSEPH SNVDERMAN B MA I? 7711/ $CHA/A8L @T @Ww ATTORNEY June22, 1965 J, SNYDERMAN ETAL 3,190,195

CONVOLUTE TUBE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1 965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2'INVENTORS JOSEPH SNYDER/VAN MART/IV SCH/VA BL 111M122, 5- J. SNYDERMANETAL 3,190,195

QQNVQLUTE TUBE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June1965 J. SNYDERM'AN ETAL CONVOLUTE TUBE MAKING MACHINE Filed May 27, 19634 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS JOSEPH SNVDERMAN MART/IV SCHNABL ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,190,195 CONVOLUTE TUBE MAKING MACHINE JosephSnyderman, Philadelphia, and Martin Schnabl, Elkins Park, Pa., assignorsto John Eppler Machine Works, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania l Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 283,268 14 Claims. (Cl.9381) This invention relates to a convolute tube making machine.

Tube making machines have been made over a long period of years whichincluded provisions for feeding from a roll and glue coating anelongated strip of paper, advancing the strip along a mandrel onto whichit is to be wound, cutting the strip to the desired length in accordancewith the length of the paper tube to be made, further advancing thestrip along the mandrel to a location for winding, winding the striponto the mandrel to form a convolute paper tube, stripping the woundpaper tube from the mandrel after completion of the winding by moving atube stripper along the mandrel, returning the tube stripper to itsinitial position, all in timed sequence, and repeating the foregoingoperations for the continuous production of paper tubes of predeterminedlength. In prior machines of successful nature, where a length of papertube of the order of 80 inches or less was to be wound and because ofthe length of mandrel there employed and the cantilever mounting of themandrel, an end support was provided for the free end of the mandrel,this end support being retracted in timed relation to permit theoperation of the stripper and removal of the paper tube.

The demands of the trade for longer tubes has necessitated employing alonger mandrel. With longer mandrels to accommodate tubes of lengths oftwo hundred inches or more, it was previously supposed that intermediatesupport of the mandrel and tube during winding, and of the mandrel andtube during stripping, and preferably at a plurality of spaced locationsalong the mandrel, was necessary. Such intermediate supportsnecessitated the use of considerable operating mechanism.

In prior machines, also, provisions had been made to smooth the paperfrom above during its winding onto the mandrel, and also to providepapersmoothing or slicker elements below the mandrel. In earlier and smallermachines the slicker elements were simultaneously retracted, while inlater and larger machines the upper slicker elements were all retractedat the commencement of the tube stripping while the lower slickerelements were successively retracted in groups.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide aconvolute tube winding machine of greatly simplified construction whichcan employ a long winding mandrel, so that a long paper tube can be madeat each operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in aconvolute tube winding machine having a mandrel, in addition to asupporting element for the mandrel at the end of the working portion ofthe mandrel a supporting element therebeyond which is effective uponretraction of the first supporting element.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in aconvolute tube winding machine having a man- 3,l%,l Patented June 22,196 5- drel with a supporting element for the end of the mandrel, anauxiliary supporting element beyond the end of the mandrel which canadditionally serve the purpose of facilitating the stripping of the tubeafter winding.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a convolutetube winding machine for tubes of a length of the order of two hundredinches or more of simpler construction than has heretofore'beenavailable, and in which improved structure isprovided for facilitatingthe stripping of the wound paper tube.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in aconvolute tube winding machine having a mandrel and slicker elements forsmoothing the paper on the mandrel during the winding, an auxiliarysupport for the mandrel located beyond the end of the mandrel and beyondthe slicker elements.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro, vide a convolutetube winding machine having a winding mandrel with a retractable supportat its free endand an auxiliary support therebeyond, the auxiliarysupport having positive provisions for aiding in the retraction orstripping of the wound paper tube.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will beapparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be morereadily understood from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1A is a top plan view of the entrance end of a convolute tubemaking machine in accordance with the invention;

. 'FIG. 1B is a'continuation of FIG. 1A to the tube delivery ordischarge end of the machine;

FIG. 2-is a fragmentary front elevational view, enlarged, of part of themachine shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and illustrating the freeend supportfor the mandrel, part of the upper and lower paper smoothing or slickerelements, and the auxiliary support;

FIG. 3 isavertical sectional view taken approximately on the line -33 ofFIG. 2, illustrating details of the upper and lower paper smoothingelements and the control of the positioning thereof;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 44of FIG. 2, illustrating the mandrel free end support and the control ofthe positioning thereof;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 55of FIG. 2 and illustrating details of the auxiliary support;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tube stripper arm andthe shaft on which it is mounted;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing details ofone of the lower paper smoothing elements; a

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 88of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the.end of the mandrel, showing the attachment of the tube receiving shaft;and

FIG. 10.is an elevational view of the cam for controlling thepositioning of the upper and lower slicker elements and the mandrel freeend support.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are illustrative merely, and that I new. paper strip feed, whichis followed finished tube therefrom.

parts throughout the several a transverse frame portion and alongitudinal frame a portion 16 (see FIGS. 1A and-2). The frame portion;

15 has a top horizontal transverse frame plate 17." The frame portion 16has a top horizontal longitudinal frame plate. 18, at the same level asthe frame plate 17 and side sections 19 with transverse frame rails 20therebetween at a plurailty of spaced locations; The frame portion 15can carrytherealong paper pinch- 7 ing devices (not shown). controlledby a cam 21, and a paper cut oifknife' (not shown) controlled by-a knifeThe frame portionlS has a glue pan 23 with' provisions for glueapplication to the paper including glue transfer rollers 24, and glueapplying and transfer rolls 25, as has heretofore been common practice.The rollers 24-and rolls '25 are intermittently driven as the paper isadvanced through a transmission unit 26 which is in turn driven by achain drive 27 from a transverse drive shaft 34.

Transverse frame bars 28 and 29 have wires 30 extend-- ing. therebetweenfor supporting the paper strip advanced from the paper supply roll (notshown) in preparation for winding into convolute tubular form. A- motor31 is The mandrel 54 hasa longitudinal slot 64 thereon for the receptionof theleading longitudinal edge of the sheet to be wound thereon as thesame is fed along the wires 30. t The mechanism for feeding the paperalong the w1res 30, for applying glue thereto, for severing the paper-atthe trailing transverse edge, for advancing the paper along and to themandrel 54, and for rotating the mandrel 54, is

well known in the art.

The frame plate 18 contiguous tothe end of the;man-.

drel 54' (seeFIGS. 2 and 4) has abracket 65 mounted thereon in which astub shaft 66 is pivotally mounted-L The stub shaft 66 has a supportingarm67 secured thereto with a mandrelsocket 68 for supporting engagementwith.

the mandrel 54. The stub shaft 66 also has an actuating arm69"carriedthereby' to which a cam rod 70 is pivotally connectedby apivot pin 71 The cam rod 70 extends through the frame plate 18 and has abifurcated cam fol-.

lower 72 straddlingthe'cam shaft: 37*with a cam follower pin 73 engagedwith amandrel free end supporting cant .20

74cm the cam shaft'37. 'The cam 74 hasa shapeas shown in FIG. 10.

The frame plate 18, at 'aplurality spaced locations" between the ends ofthe mandrel 54, has slicker or smooth-.

provided connected through a suitable chain drive 32 to' I the shaft 34.The shaft 34 aclutch drive shaft 42. V r I V The clutch drive shaft 42is connected through gearing 40. to drive the cam shaft37 and thecamshaft 37 is'in turn connected through gearing 5 0 to a shaft '49andthen I through a deceleration drive mechanism 48 to a shaft 45.

The, shaft 42 isalso connected through a'clutch'drive through gearing 33drives and speed controller and reducer to a tube winding 1 mandrel 54for intermittently driving/the same. As an illustration of a specificmotion during each cycle the mandrel can be rotated for 168 forpaperwinding; fol

lowed by a 12 shift, with the driveJthen disconnected for a 168. periodof rest utilizedfor tube'stripping and engage the drive.

by'a 12 shift to s end toend with the tube being rolledonto the mandrel54.

The cam shaft 37 is supported in spaced bearings 38 .carried by thetransverse frame rails 20'. r V Theframe portion 16 has, mounted thereonupper and lower carriage 'rails 39 for carrying the stripper carriage 41which forms part of' the tube stripper. The, carriage 41 is operatedwith a controlled motion, with reciprocation in timed relation in ahorizontal path, andwith the drive slowing down the carriage movementat'each' end of its movement in a well known manner. For this 'purposethe shaft drives a sprocket 44' with which a rec'- tangular loop ofchain 43 is in engagement on the upper run thereof. The chain 43 has ashuttle mechanism (not shown) connected to a selected. location on thechain 43 for moving the carriage 41 horizontally with a decreasedacceleration and a dwell at each end of the horizontal movementiwhilethe vertical paths of the'chain 43 are followed.

The stripper carriage 41 has a stripper. arm shaft mounted thereon witha stripper arrn' 56 '(see FIG. 6) for sliding movement along the mandrel54 to strip the The stripper carriage 41 on the stripper arm shaft 55also has a plurality of paper feed pins 57; for feeding the papertransversely of the wires 30 to the mandrel 54 past the paper guiderails 58,'aided by feed. pins 59. carried on a shaft which is raised byan arm 61. The arm 61 is" positioned by spaced cams (not shown) on thecarriage 41.

ing element brackets 9 5rmounted thereon in spaced pairs.

One of these brackets and its associated structure is shownin FIG 3. ,7'Each of the pairs of brackets shaft 96 pivotally mounted therein;witl1spaced limit bracket plates 97 adjustably held with respect thereto byclamp bolts 98. The bracket plates. 97 have limit fingers 99 thereon.

with the'limit fingers 99 by springs 101 in sockets 102 and "which haveadjustable screws 103 mounted in projections.

104 on theplates' 97 bearing thereagainst. 'A limited movement, of thepresserarms ltm is thus provided-.1 The;

presser'arrns 100. have rockers 105. .pivotally' mounted thereon onrocker shafts 106.. Restoring coil springs 107 each have one endengagedin a rocker and the; other in an adjusting collar 108'on therocker shafts 106. The

collars 108 are held in adjusted position by set screws 109,1

The rockers 105 have alsp'aced pair of continuous presser rods 110secured thereto for engagement from Each shaft 96 also has an actuatingarm 111 secured thereto to the'end of which a cam rod 112' isconnected." 7'

The cam rod 112 has a threaded insert 113 for adjustment of the lengththereof. e

lower' pin 116 engaged with a lower slicker control cam 117 which has ashape as shown'inFIG. l0. l a

, shaft 120 pivotally mounted thereon with spaced limit The lower end ofthe cam rod 112 has a bifurcated cam follower straddling the cam shaft37'witl1 a cam fol- Each of the'pairs of brackets 95 has an upper slickebracket plates 1'21 adjustably held withlrespectthereto by clamp bolts122. The bracket plates 121" are similar to the bracket plates 97 andhave limit fingers 1231 thereon.

Each shaft also has presser' arms 124 movably mounted thereon andurgedtowards engagement with the limit fingers 123 by springs (notshown) but like the springs 161, with adjustablescrews 126, mounted-inpro jection-s 127 on the plates 121,.bearing thereagainst. A

limited movement of the presser arms 124 is thus provided. The presserarms 124 have rockers 128- pivotally mounted. thereon on rocker shafts129. Restoring coil springs 130 each have one end engaged in therockers128 I and the other in an adjusting collar 131 on the rocker.shafts129. The collars 131 are held in adjusted position by set screws132. I Q 7 The rockers 128 have a] spaced pair of continuous presserrods. 133 secured thereto for engagement from 1 end to endwith the tubebeing rolled onto the mandrel 54.

Each shaft 120 also has an. actuating arm 134 secured thereto to the endof which a cam rod 135 is connected.

95 has-a lower slicker Each shaft 96 also has presser, arms 100 Imovably mounted thereon and urged towards engagement:

The cam rod 135 has a threaded insert 136 for adjustment of the lengththereof.

The lower end of the cam rod 135 has a bifurcated cam follower 137straddling the cam shaft 37 with a cam follower pin 138 engaged with anupper slicker control cam 139, which has a shape as shown in FIG. 10.

In order .to permit of quick, release of the top presser bars 133 a lockmechanism can be providedwhich includes lock levers 140 pivotallymounted on pivot pins 141 carried on brackets 142. The lock levers 140have locking tongues 143 urged into engagement with complemental sockets144 in collars 145 by springs 146. The collars 145 are secured to theshafts 120.

The cam shaft 37 has mounted thereon the cams 74, 117 and 139 forcontrolling the positioning of the mandrel free end of support 68, thelower presser rods 110 and the upper presser rods 133. These cams arepreferably all as shown in detail in FIG. 10, seen from the end of themandrel .54 and with a counter-clockwise direction of rotation. Theearns 74, 117 and v139 are similar in shape and are oriented on the camshaft 37 to provide the desired interrelation between the upper andlower slicker bar retraction and the retraction of the support 68 topermit the stripping.

The cam 74 has a short portion 151 of a hold up dwell 152 followed by afall 153 through about 31. A down dwell 154 of about 122 is thenfollowed by a rise 155 through about 31. This is followed by the hold updwell 152 through about 176, including the portion 151.

The cam 117, which controls the lower presser rods 110 has, a rise 155through about 31, a retract or open dwell 154 through about 122, a fall153 through about 31 and a lower or closed dwell 152 through about 176.

The cam 139 which controls the upper presser rods 133, is timed the sameas the cam 117, has a rise 155 through about 31, followed by an open orretract dwell 154 of about 122", a fall 153 of about 31 and an apply orclose dwell 152 of about 176.

The mandrel 54, atthe free end thereof (see FIG. 9),

has an end collar 230 secured therein in abutting relation to aninterior shoulder 231. The collar 23% has a reduced outer end portion232 and 'can have sleeves 233 thereon, of nylon or the like for reducingwear upon the engagement therewith of the mandrel socket 68. A tubereceivingflshaft 235 is provided having, at one end, a shoulder 236abutting against the collar 238, an end extension 237 received withinthe collar 230, and a threaded end 233 for the reception of a washer240Iand nut 241. The

- nut 241 is accessible through the opening 242,.a plough edge 243 ofwhich serves to guide the leading edge of the paper into smooth relationinside the wound tube as the same is stripped from the mandrel 54. r

The tube receiving shaft 235, at the other end, has a tube receiversleeve 245 withtapered ends 246. and 247 and a central portion 248preferably the same or slightly smaller diameter than the outsidediameter of the mandrel 54.

The longitudinal frame portion 16, contiguous to the bracket 65 has asupport bracket 25%) secured thereto.

The bracket 250 has a vertical face251 to which the vertical face 252 ofa motor support bracket 253 is secured by bolts 254 in elongated slots255. A horizontal rod 256 has a threaded opening 257 in which a threadedadustmg rod 258 is in engagement. The rod 258 has spaced heads 259 onopposite sides of a horizontal frame plate -(not shown) interposedbetween the motor 261 and a horizontal driven shaft 263. The shaft 263is supported 6 in bearings'265 in a bearing housing 266 carried by themotor support bracket 253.

The shaft 263 has a tube and shaft support pulley 270 thereon,preferably with a V shaped periphery 271. The pulley 270 can be of anydesired material such as synthetic plastic and preferably has a frictionface on the periphery 271 to apply friction onto the exterior of thewound tube to aid in stripping.

The pulley 270, by the direct engagement of the tube receiver sleeve 245thereon can provide support for the free end of the mandrel 54, and withthe tube being stripped moving along the sleeve 245 can provide supportfor the tube and the mandrel '54.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

The motor 31, through the chain drive 32 eifects rotation of the shaft.34. A strip of paper, with glue applied thereon by the intermittentlyoperated glue applying rolls 25 is supplied and advanced by the carriage41'onto the wires 30, and along the slot 64 in the mandrel 54 and.

cut off by the action of the knife (not shown) controlled 'by the knifecam 22, While the mandrel 54 is at rest and before it commences therotating phase of its actuation.

The longitudinal advance of the paper strip and the advance thereof intowinding position with respect to the mandrel 54 is effected by theoperation of the carriage 41 and the actuation of the paper feed pins 57and 59.

. Assuming that the carriage 41 has been retracted and is to be advancedfor stripping a previously wound paper tube on the mandrel 54 byadvancing the stripper arm 56 along the mandrel 54 and simultaneouslyadvancing another paper strip along the wires 30. V

The support provided by the mandrel socket 68 at the free end ofthe'mandrel 54 must be retracted and remain out of the path of the papertube as it is stripped from the mandrel 54 and this is efiected by thecam 74.

The stripper arm 56 can be considered as about to start to move towardthe right in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The upper presser b'ars'133 are all elevated together out of engagementwith the paper tube by the respective cams 139, and remain in thiscondition during the stripping-and new paper feed.

i As the mandrel socket 68 is retracted the free end of the mandrel 54tends to fall but support is then provided by the engagement of thesleeve 245 on the pulley 270.

The wound paper tube is stripped off the mandrel 54 over the free endthereof, along the tube receiving shaft 235-and the tube receiver sleeve245, urged from the other'end by the stripper arm 56 which advancesbeyond the free end of the mandrel 54 and partially along the tubereceiving shaft 235. The stripper arm 56 does not however move as far asthe sleeve 245.

As the stripper arm 56 advances to the right the cams -117 retract thelower pressure bars to permit the stripper arm 56 to pass, and duringthe remainder of the cycle, the pressure bars 110 can be returned totheir original upper positions in mandrel supporting and pressureapplying position or can remain in retracted positions.

As the Wound tube is moved by the stripper arm 56, for stripping thetube, onto and along the sleeve 245 the tube is interposed between thesleeve 245 and the pulley 276.

The pulley 270, driven by the motor 261, and with a peripheral speed atthe places of engagement with the tube substantially equal to advancingspeed of the strip per arm 56 aids in the stripping and removal of thewound tube. If the wound tube should be advanced more rapidly along thesleeve 245 this is accommodated by the overrunning clutch in thetransmission housing 262.

After the stripper arm 56 reaches the end of its stripping stroke itmoves downwardly and returns toward its starting location. The mandrelsocket 68 returns to its man drel supporting position and remains thereuntil it is again retracted for tube stripping.

It willbe noted that the'auxiliary support for the mandrel provided bythe pulley 270, the sleeve 245 and the I tube receiving shaft 235 isapplied beyond thersur faces of the mandrel 54 onto which paper, iswound.

We claim; V 1. In a tube winding machine having a rotatable windingmandrel mounted at one endfor tubewin ding, members for driving saidmandrel, a carriage movable along ,said mandrel having a tube'strippercarried thereby, a

member for supporting said mandrel at the other end thereof, members*for'retracting said supporting member in timedrelation to the movementof said tube stripper,

said free endrof said mandrel having an extensiontherebeyond of lesserdiameter than said mandrelfa'nd a support member at a fixed height 'forengagement by a tube impelled along said extensionby said tube stripper,said extension spaced at a location beyond said mandrel, whereby uponretraction of 'said supporting member,

support is'provided for said mandrel;

2; A tube winding machine as defined in claim 1 in which i said supportmember has a portionrotatably mounted on an axistransverse to thelongitudinalaxis of the extension for engagement by thetubeduringmovement past said support member.

3. Atube windingmachine as mounted on an axis transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the extension for engagement by the tube duringmovement' past said support member, and positive driving means isprovided for said rotatable 'portion. I

passes therealong and during the: remainder of the period in which thetube is being pushed oif the free. o as to limit sagging of the end ofthe mandrelnandrel.

7. Apparatusas defined in claim 6 in which said las means includes aroller supported on an axis transverseto said shaft. I

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said last means includes 7(e) a roller supported on an axis transverse to said shaft, and v (f)positive driving means for said roller.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said has a sleeve thereonfor engagement with the interior of 1 the tube during'movementtherealong-for stripping, said sleeve having at least one end thereoftapered. 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which adjust- 1ingmembers are'provided for determining the. vertical 7 defined in claim 1in ,which said support member base portion rotatably' I 4. A tubewinding machineas defined inclaim 1 in which said support member has aportion rotatably mounted on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axisof the extension for engagement by the tube during movement past saidsupport member, positive driving means is provided for said rotatableportion,'and an overrunning clutch is interposed between said drivingmeans and said rotatable portion. a I

SPA tube winding machine havinga rotatable winding thereon in tube form,members for actuating said maridrcl in cyclic relation, acarriagemovable along; said mandrel in predetermined timed relation andhaving a tube-stripper carried thereby, a cam shaft, members foractuating said'cam shaftga mandrel supporting member at the other end ofsaid mandrel forsupporting said mandrel at said other endduringtubewinding,'a. cam

on said cam shaft for controlling thepositioning ofsaid mandrelsupporting member with respect -to saidman drel, said cam having aportion for retracting said mandrel supporting member to a position outof the path of movement of said tube and said tube stripper,tube'forrning material smoothing bars'above and below said mandrel,

, -cams on said cam shaft for advancing and retracting said bars withrespect to the mandreL and anauxiliary supportfor said mandrel beyondsaid other end "and at a .fixed elevation supporting said mandrel duringretraction of said mandrel supporting member and during stripping ofsaid tube.

6. In an apparatus having a; rotatable mandrel about which sheetmaterial is adapted to be wound in the forming of convolutetubesthereon, and said apparatus including a stripper for engaging themandrel therebeneath and applying a pushing force against the rear endof the tube and longtiudinally toward and beyondthe free end of themandrelfor stripping the tube off the-mandrel; the

engagement mandrel mounted at one 'end for winding sheet materialpositioning of said last means.

11. In an apparatus having a rotatable mandrel about which sheetmaterialis adapted to be wound in the. forming ofconvolute tubesthereon, and said apparatus in-. cluding stripper meansfor engaging andapplying a pushing force against the rear end of-the tube and longitudi-'nally towardthe free end'of the mandrel for stripping the tube ofl? themandrel; the combination therewith of (a) a mandrel support engageablewith said mandrel 7 intermediate its ends during winding of-the tube,-(b) means to release said support from engagement with said mandrel asthe end of the tube approaches said support, (c) said mandrel having ashaft of lesser diameter than said mandrel extending from the free endthereof; ((1) means at a fixed location below said shaft'for supportingsaid shaft as the tube passes therealong and during the remainder of theperiod in which the tube is being pushed 01f the free'end of themandrel,

(e) a plurality of longitudinally extending circularly.

- spaced and substantially longitudinally aligned upper and lowerslickersbars adjacent upper and lower portions of said mandrel andnormally spaced therefrom,-

and

(f) means for retracting said slicker bars during stripping of the tube.a. a 12. A' method of stripping elongate convolutetubes forwardly offthe free end' of a mandrel whose rear end is journaled and about whicheach successive tube is wound which comprises the steps of V (a)engaging and applying a pushing force against the .Krieap end of thetube and longitudinally of the manre r (b) withdrawing supportfrom thetube as its front end approaches said point of support, and

(c) positively supporting said mandrel at a fixed level at a locationbeyond the free end of the mandrel and during passage of the tube pastsuch location.

1-13 A method of making'elongate convolute .tubes'fro'mv V relativelythin sheet material utilizing an elongate rotatable mandrel about whichsheet. material is adapted .to be wound and having a free end beyondwhich each successive tubeis moved upon being formed; said methodcomprising (a) rotating said mandrel and taking up the sheet'materialthereon to form the tube while supporting the mandrel at its free end;

(b) then stripping the tube cit the free end of the mandrel beforeforming a succeeding tube thereon by applying a pushing force againstthe trailing end of the tube opposite from the free end of the mandrel,

(c) Withdrawing said support vfrom the mandrel before the tube reachessaid-support; and

(d) supporting said mandrel at a fixed level and location beyond saidfree end while said first support is withdrawn while applying anassisting force for stripping at such location.

shaft 1 at a '14. A method of stripping elongate convolute tubesforwardly oil the free end of a mandrel about which each successive tubeis Wound which comprises the steps of {'a) moving the formed tubeforwardly toward said free end of the mandrel While positivelysupporting the tube and mandrel at a location at the free end of saidmandrel,

(b) withdrawing support of the mandrel at the free end as the tubeapproaches the free end;

(0) positively supporting said tube at a fixed level at a locationbeyond the free end of the mandrel during the remainder of the period inwhich the tube is moving off the free end of the mandrel andtherebeyond, and a (d) applying a stripping forge on said tube at saidlocatlon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,073,218 1/63'Roediger et a1 938 1 FOREIGN PATENTS 401,220 8/09 France.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

BERNARD STICKNEY, Examiner. I

1. IN A TUBE WINDING MACHINE HAVING A ROTATABLE WINDING MANDREL MOUNTEDAT ONE END OF TUBE WINDING, MEMBERS FOR DRIVING SAID MANDRESL, ACARRIAGE MOVABLE ALONG SAID MANDREL HAVING A TUBE STRIPPER CARRIEDTHEREBY, A MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING SAID MANDREL AT THE OTHER END THEREOF,MEMBERS FOR RETRACTING SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER IN TIMED RELATION TO THEMOVEMENT OF SAID TUBE STRIPPER, SAID FREE END OF SAID MANDREL HAVING ANEXTENSION THEREBEYOND OF LESSER DIAMETER THAN SAID MANDREL, AND ASUPPORT MEMBER AT A FIXED HEIGHT FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A TUBE IMPELLED ALONGSAID EXTENSION BY SAID TUBE STRIPPER, SAID EXTENSION SPACED AT ALOCATION BEYOND SAID MANDREL,